4G iPad Debuts with Faster Processor, Improved Display

The Apple 4G iPad retains the familiar look and feel of previous-generation iPads.

Apple formally took the wraps off the new iPad Wednesday morning. The third generation of Apple's popular tablet device incorporates a speedier A5X processor, 4G LTE support, and a higher-resolution Retina display.

Among the iPad's new features are a speedier A5X processor, a dual-core system on a chip that offers a quad-core GPU. The previous-generation iPad 2, which will continue to be sold alongside the "new" model, is built around a dual-core A5 chip operating at 1 GHz.

The 4G iPad also sports a significantly improved display. The 4G iPad's Retina display, like that of the iPhone 4S, offers a pixel density of 264 PPI, with a total resolution of 2,048 x 1,526--four times the total pixels of the iPad 2's XGA display, which had a pixel density of 132 PPI.

Other hardware features in the 4G iPad include:

New support for 4G LTE, with continued support for 3G and Edge;

10-hour battery life (same as the previous model) or nine hours when running 4G;

Hotspot support (where supported by the carrier);

A back camera capable of capturing 5 megapixel still images and 1080p HD video at 30 FPS;

A front-facing, VGA-resolution camera;

Support for Bluetooth 4.0; and

Support for 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi.

Also at the event today, Apple made some software announcements, including the launch of iPhoto for iPad ($4.99), incorporating several features not currently available in the desktop version, such as editing brushes; iOS 5.1; an upgraded version of iWork an iLife apps for iPad; new features in iCloud; and some upgrades to iTunes.

Apple also launched a new version of the Apple TV, an update to the company's smart set-top box that now includes 1080p support and an updated UI. It will be available March 16 for $99.

The 4G iPad is expected to ship March 16 for $499 for the base 16 GB WiFi model. The 32 GB and 64 GB WiFi models will sell for $599 and $699, respectively. The base 4G model will start at $629 for the 16 GB version. The 32 GB and 64 GB 4G models will sell for $729 and $829, respectively. Preorders are available now. The iPad 2 will continue to be sold and will start at $399 for the WiFi version, $529 for the 3G version.

Executive Producer David Nagel heads up the editorial department for 1105 Media's education publications — which include two daily sites, a variety of newsletters and two monthly digital magazines covering technology in both K-12 and higher education.

A 21-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.